Don Capria's Director's Cut, is described as a riotous slasher throwback that pays tribute to horror cinema of the '80s and '90s. Starring celebrated character actor Louis Lombardi (The Sopranos, Suicide Kings) as a mysterious, murderous sociopath preying on a punk band's desperate desire for fame.
Capria shared the inspiration for telling a story blending music and horror came from his own background: “I grew up in the New York Hardcore scene – I was a drummer in a few band, and I always loved seeing the references in film. The biggest I can remember was Return of the Living Dead. When I went to make this film, I wanted to make sure it had elements of the culture I grew up in, but it is also a generation I'm not a part of, so I gave the band a ‘little brother' vibe. I made them a part of the scene, but a modern version of what my hardcore family looked like.”
How did Louis Lombardi come to be involved with the project? “I've actually known Louis for many years,” says Capria. “I met him through his cousin, and he was one of the first people I met when I went to Hollywood. He was always giving me advice on the biz and helping me with my direction, so when the pandemic hit and I started outlining the script, I really saw an opportunity to build this character for him. When we first started talking about Mister Director, he loved the idea, and the rest is on the screen.”
The concept of a mad director is something Capria was intrigued by and wanted to push the boundaries of. “We’ve all witnessed a director or artist and their need for absolute control. I thought a lot about how much that person in power gets away with. A music video shoot with the wrong kind of director or band is the perfect setting for conflict. I explored that idea while on set, deep in the woods of PA, while directing a music video. I just kept pushing the idea of how depraved this director could be and how vulnerable and willing his victims could be. Add motive to the mix, and I started to create the story. Where the film ends, Mister Director is just beginning.”
Here's a look at the film's official synopsis:
A Long Island punk band meets a mysterious director through social media who generously offers to shoot their first music video for free. Desperate for fame, they drive deep into the Pennsylvania woods in hopes of making a killer music video. But after a long night of drinking with the gregarious director, the band wakes up to find a very different version of him on set.
Egos and opinions clash, with the director unveiling a terrible anger and uncompromising need for total control. As his professionalism breaks down, so does his sanity – with the unhinged director and his assistant turning the band members into the unwitting stars of his very own snuff film.
Director's Cut enjoyed a successful run at the Bushwick Film Festival. “Bushwick was a blast. I don't have a ton of festival experience, but I have been to all different sizes and locations to know they really do an amazing job. The room was packed, and the audience was really into the film. I love hearing the laughs and giggles at the moments I sprinkled some comedic relief into the script. Watching the reactions to the kills is priceless. Bushwick was the best response we got so far.”
Director's Cut has been acquired by Byron Allen’s Company, Freestyle Digital Media, and is currently available on VOD across all platforms. The film is currently climbing up the Apple TV charts. Written and directed by Don Capria, the film stars Louis Lombardi, Lucy Hart, Danielle Kotch, Tyler Ivey, Haley Cassidy, Louis Rocky Bacigalupo, Brandy Ochoa, Greg Poppa, and Darin Hickok.
